Hours before the matter would have gone to the Election Commission of Pakistan for a final solution, the PML-N, after a grand review meeting finalised the name of the award winning journalist.

Former law minister Rana Sanaullah while announcing the committee’s decision explained the reason for the 11th hour announcement was that they had put forward their names after due consultation with other parties. In light of the options put forward by the opposition, and the need to deliberate on the names further, the PML-N had to consult those parties again.

“This morning, the consultations were on going.”

“Constitutionally we are obligated to finalise a name by midnight, hence we kept ourselves open to the candidates proposed,” Sanaullah said.

“The country has been listening to his unbiased analysis on television, and we hope that he would now conduct free and fair elections.”

Later, talking to the media, Najam Sethi said that this would be an experience.

“This is a temporary job. It is a time to put theory into practice.”

“I will consult chief election commissioner as policy making is not the job of caretaker government. I will tell the CEC that this is your government, whatever you order, we will comply. If our orders are not complied with, then I will come home.”

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered the parliamentary committee to hold another meeting and reach a consensus over the name of caretaker chief minister of Punjab, Express News reported on Tuesday.

Earlier during the day, the third and the final committee meeting had failed to reach a consensus and had forwarded the matter to the Election Commission of Pakistan. However, sources said that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) was concerned that the election commission might pick a candidate presented by the PPP, so they decided to call a review meeting.

Its not about flexibility. Its about their lust for power. Sharifs know it very well that the more they cling to it, the more it will benefit them. They cannot survive without using government resources and machinery.

If they select Mr najam sethi he will for sure take some aggressive actions against the extremist outfits who are openly operating in Punjab. But this dream will remain be a dream because pmln would never allow someone to crush their electoral allies.

Not a good news.. This move has been made by both ppp and pml n to tap media support.. How can a political commentator mr sethi now express unbiased views and specially against the parties who have selected him for this interim position. He will have to oblige for sure. In my opinion, selection of people associated with media should be banned for caretaker set up as they have sources to influence public opinion.

His appointment goes against the ethics of journalism, wherein journalists should not be stakeholders in the very processes that they are supposed to be covering and in the corruption that they are supposed to be unearthing, with impartiality. His appointment should be treated as sad news for journalism in Pakistan.

Excellent choice. I have been watching episodes of Aapas ki baat and found his analysis devoid of any bias and logical as well. Though the post is temporary but it would surely give a great boost to other media personalities to join politics and clean the political system in Pakistan. However, he has to undergo an acid test of controlling terrorists and sectarian violence in Punjab during election time which is raising its ugly head in the state.

Thanks God that they reached a consensus, now it’s the Biggest test-case of Mr. Sethi’s career to cope with. Looking at his journalistic record, we hope that he will deliver the best possible. In the days to come, we will see, if he is ‘equipped’ enough to deal with the responsibility bestowed upon him or he is merely another Ajmal Khattak, Hussain Haqqani and Mushahid Hussain. Lets pray that he don’t loose his head, and do whatever with rationality and dignity.

Najam Sethi. How is he? Will he be able to do anything while interm CM? can he target the terrorist producing madrassas? Would he have any power do make a difference in the short amount of time he has? Has he been in favor of any political party? I don’t know too much about him so hopefully I get an unbiased opinion of this guy.Recommend

Just look at the title of the show ‘Aapus kee baat’, when the country is going through sensitive times such as now, he has birdie bringing in information which has little to do with nation building and conflict resolution.

No other TV show has a title with such connotation as Sethi Saheb. Very disappointing after being an avid reader of his paper in the 90s

I have enjoyed Apaas ki Baat does not mean I always agreed with him. He will be there perhaps for two months. his role is going to be very limited hopefully to have fair and free election. For this prime minister must stop ugly propaganda machine called ptv. Make it neutral, apolotical. just report news and donot take sides.Sethi should also make sure punjab govt machinery is not used for political ends. he can leave a mark of honesty and impartiality.If he deliberately fails this ,well wishes like me will be sorely disappointed.Then it also will be fascinating how he resumes his talk show after the election..Best of luck donot disappoint us

Even though the temp setup would have neither time nor powers or will to make any major decision still this is one of the best selection in the current politics. At least Najam is honest, open and not apologist for the terrorists. He is not going to be Taliban buddy like most rightwing politicians and parties.

Though a good choice his talk shows and “The Friday Times” articles will be missed by the public.
And I thought the decision was that of Committee, but in this article it was said that his name was approved by PML-N. Is it the way to present the news.
Hope election news would be given without bias on either side.

To know thy self, just give him power; the lust of pwer indeed brings out the best out of one… indeed pretty shameful, not because he has been offered, rather coz he has accepted; and then again we are living in a lie that media has not to do much in influencing the political decisoins and the current situation(s).
My country men, this is just the start; diluting the institutions roles have a lot more worse offerings

Sethi was a political prisoner from 1975-1977 during the regime of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for protesting military action in Balochistan. In 1984, the regime of General Zia ul Haq put him in prison for one month for publishing “From Jinnah To Zia”, a book authored by the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Mohammad Munir. The book was a sort of mea culpa in which the author had admitted his grave error in legitimizing the first martial law in Pakistan in 1958, thereby paving the way for Gen Zia’s martial law in 1977. In 1999, he was again imprisoned by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on trumped up charges of treason. The reason was relentless exposure of corruption in the Sharif family by The Friday Times. The Supreme Court of Pakistan later rejected the charges and freed him after one month. While in detention, he was tortured and suffered a heart attack, which necessitated heart surgery in 2000. The Sharif government harassed him later by slapping dozens of income tax cases, accused him of being a “non-Muslim” and tried to deprive him of his voting rights. But all the cases were dismissed by the courts and the his rights were restored by the Chief Election Commissioner.Recommend